CH-UH receives grant for afterschool arts programming

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District has received grant funding from the Ohio Department of Education to pay for an afterschool arts program for at-risk incoming freshmen. The money, totaling $850,000 over five years, will be used to partner with Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio to support the SHINE! program.

Up to 50 ninth-grade students will be invited to participate in SHINE!, planned as a place to do homework, receive extra academic support, engage with peers, and have the opportunity to develop strong bonds with adults in the high school community.

SHINE! will operate four days a week—Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:30–6:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The schedule is designed to leave two days free after school to enable students to engage in other activities, such as sports and clubs.

During the first hour on weekday afternoons, students will organize into small groups for homework completion, supported by teachers, aides and volunteers. The second hour will include targeted English and algebra instruction. The final hour is for arts enrichment programming, which will be student-driven, meaning that the students will determine which arts they want to be involved in.

Students will be able to choose between two arts offerings each quarter, with resident artists provided through Young Audiences. Saturday sessions will consist of arts programming, lunch and youth development activities. At the end of each arts cycle, students will present an event for parents, staff and community members to showcase their artwork.

For more information, contact Joe Nohra, principal of Mosaic School at 216-320-3200 or by e-mail at J_Nohra@chuh.org.